martin dont diss the performance per dollar of the athlon, he can get amd sli mobo+cpu for 150-160 or close. :)

I know that dan, but would you buy a E5300 with 2 video card? that's the point where I am blocking. Why get a low end CPU with 2 video card? that will bottleneck for sure. it's like towing a fifth wheel with a Accent GL...to be good, a build have to be balanced or suited to your need. If you want to play, you need both CPU and GPU power. here you have a lot of GPU power but low end CPU. You can for sure go for the athlon but when you will try to play high end game at high end res don't ask us why you have some lag.

I know that dan, but would you buy a E5300 with 2 video card? that's the point where I am blocking. Why get a low end CPU with 2 video card? that will bottleneck for sure. it's like towing a fifth wheel with a Accent GL...to be good, a build have to be balanced or suited to your need. If you want to play, you need both CPU and GPU power. here you have a lot of GPU power but low end CPU. You can for sure go for the athlon but when you will try to play high end game at high end res don't ask us why you have some lag.

These would be better choice, the CPU is more powerfull than a I3 530 and the price of a mobo/cpu for a I3 will be about the same of a X4 965 + the MSI mobo you listed. ( you can PM this CPU for 169 with NCIX pricematch )http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=46...D&promoid=1223

listen to martin. if you multitask his advice is better. multitask as in several heavier applications. if its just gaming? get the 530. expensive for a low end dual core, but again if budget permits go for it.

Would definatly be a better choice. But again, I strongly suggest you to drop one of the video card and get something like a I5 760 or a Phenom 2 X6. It's a lot more easier to add a video card after the rig is up than changing the CPU because in 1 year or 2 it can't play your game like you want to.